Sciatica can cause pain, numbness or weakness in your hip, buttock and leg. Chiropractic and sciatica is a good match because chiropractic care can address many of the issues that can cause sciatic pain. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed, inflamed or irritated.
The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the human body. It starts at the spinal column close to your pelvis and runs down each leg. This nerve can be as wide as your thumb near its origination point. As the sciatic nerve progresses down the lower extremity, it breaks into five branches that serve your thigh, knee, calf, ankle and foot. From this, it is easy to see why it can be so incapacitating when this nerve is compressed.
Causes of Sciatica Misalignment (subluxation) of the spine Pelvic misalignment Slipped or herniated disc from a fall or accident Tumors Diabetes Arthritis Vitamin deficiencies Pregnancy
Simple movements can often trigger sciatic pain. Doing something as simple as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, sneezing or bending may be enough to send sharp pains down your leg from your hip. Chiropractors have treated many sciatica cases successfully.
Many people don't realize that sciatica often begins with lower back pain. They may feel these aches and pains for a few weeks before the true sciatica pain begins. They may feel pain, numbness or weakness start in the hip and move through the buttocks, then down through the thigh, the calf and finally the foot. The pain can be as minimal as a dull ache or it can be a hot, shooting pain. Pain can last for a few minutes, a few hours or several days or weeks. The pain going down the leg eventually becomes worse and more severe than that in the lower back. Those who have suffered sciatica for a long time will realize the pain will eventually localize in the buttocks and thighs. If left untreated, the nerve may sustain permanent damage and the calf muscle may begin to deteriorate.
Many people will wait until the pain is unbearable before they seek the assistance of a chiropractor. If you contact a chiropractor when you just start to feel sciatic pain, there is a much better chance of success in relieving the pain and fixing the cause. A chiropractor will take your medical history when you first meet, and then do a physical exam including orthopedic and neurological tests. You may need x-rays, but not always. The chiropractor will discuss the results and recommend treatment for you.
Chiropractic manipulation to your spine may be done to help correct any misalignments. These adjustments help remove any blockages that may be putting pressure on the sciatic nerve. Muscle spasms may be treated with massage or other muscle techniques. Your chiropractor may also recommend ice, heat, or ultrasound treatments to help relieve the symptoms. In the most cases, several sessions of manual adjustments are adequate to relieve the problem.
Chiropractic care for sciatica pain works well. Sciatica has a typical underlying cause that can be determined. Chiropractic care can not only relieve the symptoms but remove the cause as well, so the chance of a return of the pain is minimal. X-rays taken pre and post-treatment have proven that chiropractic care realigned the spine and reduced the symptoms. Before you take pain medications to simply cover up your symptoms, see a chiropractor if you think you may be developing sciatica. - 14130
The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the human body. It starts at the spinal column close to your pelvis and runs down each leg. This nerve can be as wide as your thumb near its origination point. As the sciatic nerve progresses down the lower extremity, it breaks into five branches that serve your thigh, knee, calf, ankle and foot. From this, it is easy to see why it can be so incapacitating when this nerve is compressed.
Causes of Sciatica Misalignment (subluxation) of the spine Pelvic misalignment Slipped or herniated disc from a fall or accident Tumors Diabetes Arthritis Vitamin deficiencies Pregnancy
Simple movements can often trigger sciatic pain. Doing something as simple as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, sneezing or bending may be enough to send sharp pains down your leg from your hip. Chiropractors have treated many sciatica cases successfully.
Many people don't realize that sciatica often begins with lower back pain. They may feel these aches and pains for a few weeks before the true sciatica pain begins. They may feel pain, numbness or weakness start in the hip and move through the buttocks, then down through the thigh, the calf and finally the foot. The pain can be as minimal as a dull ache or it can be a hot, shooting pain. Pain can last for a few minutes, a few hours or several days or weeks. The pain going down the leg eventually becomes worse and more severe than that in the lower back. Those who have suffered sciatica for a long time will realize the pain will eventually localize in the buttocks and thighs. If left untreated, the nerve may sustain permanent damage and the calf muscle may begin to deteriorate.
Many people will wait until the pain is unbearable before they seek the assistance of a chiropractor. If you contact a chiropractor when you just start to feel sciatic pain, there is a much better chance of success in relieving the pain and fixing the cause. A chiropractor will take your medical history when you first meet, and then do a physical exam including orthopedic and neurological tests. You may need x-rays, but not always. The chiropractor will discuss the results and recommend treatment for you.
Chiropractic manipulation to your spine may be done to help correct any misalignments. These adjustments help remove any blockages that may be putting pressure on the sciatic nerve. Muscle spasms may be treated with massage or other muscle techniques. Your chiropractor may also recommend ice, heat, or ultrasound treatments to help relieve the symptoms. In the most cases, several sessions of manual adjustments are adequate to relieve the problem.
Chiropractic care for sciatica pain works well. Sciatica has a typical underlying cause that can be determined. Chiropractic care can not only relieve the symptoms but remove the cause as well, so the chance of a return of the pain is minimal. X-rays taken pre and post-treatment have proven that chiropractic care realigned the spine and reduced the symptoms. Before you take pain medications to simply cover up your symptoms, see a chiropractor if you think you may be developing sciatica. - 14130
About the Author:
Philip Vincent is a health educator. Need a St Louis Chiropractor? Consider a visit to this St Louis Chiropractor.
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